Stash

Just wondering if the #1 Acne is lubed with Clearasil? Steve

I've used coil spring stock, as well as 5160, which I understand to be basically the same thing. Steve

Looks to me like you pretty much figgered it out- you have a flat on top and bottom with some wood in between. I try tokeep it to 4 sides, tapering from top to bottom for max stability and to give you a few flat places to mount the tool holders you'll need. Good idea using a crotch section, but you'll still get some splitting- just don't worry about it. No need to overthink things. Steve

Yo- check out the photos of other stuff the seller has. The vintage coiled handle miner's pick just made my day start with a guffaw! Steve

Yo Stewart- that looks like Tyson's place. Don't go telling everyone, now! Steve

Where in Phila are you? I'm down in DelCo. Lotsa folk might be willing for a fee to haul for you. Rollback tow truck, excavator or landscaper with a trailer and bobcat, tree guy with a boom truck. Might just work to hire a rigger. Plenty of ways to skin your particular cat. You could find a local at your pickup point to load it on your rented trailer. Make sure the towing and loading equipment has the capacity to move these slabs. Plenty of ways to do this- use your own network, or let your fingers do the walking. Hope this helps. Steve

Hey Karl- I'm up in Concordville. I sent you an e-mail thru the forum (I hope), we'll try to hook up. Steve

I have one of those light duty Home Despot trailers that a friend gave me(Note the word 'gave'-- I probably wouldn't have paid good money for that junk.) Welded some more steel on it in some critical spots, still not real confident in it. It's GVW is 2k, I loaded a 850# machine on it, and drove 15 hiway miles with my cheeks clenched tight. Never again- I'll use that one for light hauling only, use my 5ton for heavy stuff and be safe and confident I'll make it home. Don't take chances with a light trailer- things can go very bad very quick. Steve

Hey Vincent-I'm in SE PA, picked up some nut coal from a stove guy, it was anthracite- not the best for smithing. There's a supplier in Smoketown, just down the road from Intercourse who has good smithing bituminus in bags or bulk. Don't recall the name now, but shouldn't be hard to find. You would do well to look into PABA (pablacksmith.org)- good group of guys, full of info and know-how. Steve

Last big fence job I had, I rented a hydraulic PHD. Took advantage of it, dug some extra holes- got them stacked behind my shed. I could probably send a few your way, if you want to cover the postage. Steve

Why not? I've used it mostly to practice on- mostly scrap bits I have laying around. Start heating and beating, but start looking around for a better source. As your skills advance, you'll want better options.For now, go for it. Steve

I would definitely debark- I've found ash to be particularly desireable to powder post beetles. Before backfilling might be an idea to apply a borax wash and let it dry. Steve

No beard since~'87 or so. Full handlebar stash, prolly 10" tip to tip. Makes for an interesting look with a dust mask on. Steve

I met a guy at this past weekend's PABA meeting who swears by his side blast, after starting with bottom blast. I'm currently using a bottom blast rivet forge and am on the lookout (as always) for a newer and betterer tool. I've seen lotsa great ideas for the bottom style and how to fab it up, but this guy had some convincing reasons for making the switch. I'm not going to open a can of worms about which is better, but am curious about pros and cons, as well as personal experiences. Thanks Steve

My name is Steve, and I'm a noob( And every one says "Hi Steve") Anyways, I have something to put out to y'all. If you haven't done it yet, get out , find and join your local blacksmithing group. The PABA gang (PA Artist and Blacksmithing Association), of which I am recent member, had a gig yesterday and it was a real blast. They set up a demo at a Antique tractor collectors yearly fair, to show the visitors what blacksmithing is all about.Two coal forges, 2 propane and 3 anvils were set up, and they went at it. The metal beaters ranged from the expected professionals, all the way down to inexperienced teens, as well as one young fella working as a striker for the first time with one of the pros. That was the overall picture, but personally it went farther than just watching. These guys, with all their experience and know-how were more than willing to share what they know.(Not unlike this forum- thanks guys!). I asked a question, and was not just answered, but I went behind the 'rope', handled some tools I wasn't familiar with, felt the dragon breath from a forge and experienced people who truly love their craft, and want to spread the gospel, as it were. A also met other smiths, talked with them, exchanged ideas, and discovered that while I can learn a lot from these people, I can also contribute.I come into this from a completely different direction (I'm a professional landscaper and hobby woodworker)but my experiences are no less valid than anyone else's. Hope this all made some sense- I usually think faster than I type, and I forget where I am taking a thought. That said, find your local group, join it and get involved! Oh yeah- get some metal hot and beat on it! Thanks Steve

Very nice and inspiring. Ive been woodworking or 40 years or so, blacksmithing less than 1 year. I love the idea of mixing materials to create art or furniture. Wood with metal looks like a lot of fun, and i also want to try metal and stone. Thanks! Steve

Might be a slater's hammer- the pointy end pokes a hole in the shingle, then use the other end to nail it in. Steve

Yeah- I'll ditto Sam. Looks like a stone hammer to me. I know a guy who gets granite "mill ends" that are ~6x12', up to 12" thick and busts them into building stone with a 16#er. The guys an animal. Be sure to stand behind him or you'll be eating stone chips. Steve

Not a scrap yard, but the local supplier (Northern DE) has misc.bits- plate,shapes, etc for $.30. He also has a bunch of high carbon and tool, but I haven't priced that recently. Steve

That's what I'm thinking- make her sumptin' purdy! Steve

I've been thinking on modifications, but the size of those varmints- I could turn them into a pintle hook for my big truck. My wife has a tendency to buy stuff for me- gardening tools or plants, woodworking stuff, and now BS stuff, not really knowing my needs, but darnit- I still love her. Steve

Yeah, that all makes sense.Thanks for the info, guys. DW picked 'em up on ebay, they were advertised as blacksmith tongs, so she gottem for me. They're still neat pieces. Maybe I'll turn them into lawn art- they have a real dinosaur or snapping turtle vibe to them. Sure hate to get my fingers pinched if they slipped while used as intended. Steve Edit to ask- the pix I posted are mongous. What's the trick to get them down to a reasonable size? If I can't fix it with a hammer, I'm usually out of my element, so please answer with little words.

Just got these for my bday- wondering what their application might be. They're big beasts, up to 30" long- definitely 2 handers. Steve

Hey guys- these all sound like some great ideas- how about some pix or drawings for us newbies? Steve

Wow- thanks guys. I was scratchin' my noggin for a while over that, and Rick beat me to the question. Can't wait to fire up and give it a shot. Gotta get me some clay, too. Steve